VoIP for Business

As technology moves along at breakneck speed, the telecoms industry welcomes the arrival of VoIP or voice over internet protocol. This is the process of translating normal voice into packets of data which travels down an internet connection and then reforms as voice again upon its destination.

One of the single most important landmarks in the evolution of this format has been the worldwide phenomenon known as Skype. Two Danish chaps, Janus Friis and Niklas Zennstrom, sat down one day and created this destructive technological behemoth which has changed the face of voice communications as we know it for ever. Better still they have made it possible for two or several (via conference call) people to download a piece of free software onto their PC's and talk for absolutely free for any amount of time at any destination in the world.

In the meantime, the business world has been following behind on its coat-tails seeking ways of making this work for business telephone systems based structure. You can now have your system hosted remotely using VoIP to access the system and make inter-office calls for free or break out to worldwide destinations for a fraction of the cost of a normal BT call - and all over any available broadband connection. Whilst before, the quality of the call was down to the copper wire, it is now squarely based around adequate bandwidth and un-contended interference. Other options include using VoIP adaptors, SIP trunking via a VoIP phone system with new products coming onto the market all the time.

If you have decided that a VOIP phone system is the right step for your company, you may need to determine which of your existing telephone equipment you are able to keep. The potential cost savings that can be made through using any existing digital equipment are huge. Many digital phone systems can be IP enabled using minor hardware additions and software upgrades.

When shopping around for potential systems you need to be certain of the features they provide as standard and which are optional cost extras. You also need to be certain of exactly what is included with the system.

You will also need to enquire about the compatibility of existing equipment. The technology used in many VOIP systems may affect the implementation of any existing telephone hardware.

You will also need to ensure that any devices such as fax machines, credit card processors, and security systems etc can be integrated into your new VOIP phone system. You should make any potential vendor aware of such devices so they can provide you with a suitable phone system for your requirements.

Finally, do not try to save money by buying used VOIP phone systems. Remember VOIP is a new technology, so even last years equipment is outdated. Also the installation cost will still apply whether the system is new or second hand, and the service costs may even be higher due to reliability issues. To put it simply it just isn?t worth the hassle, the higher secondary costs will wipe out any potential saving.